nanna-up-north

Well, I don't have another old Davis to see what the next patent date is but I did do a little research. I found that after the 1868 patent they got another one on Jan 25, 1870. So, I guess this machine predates that..... WooHoo!!

jlhmnj

Schweet! The last patent date is Sep 29, 1868 which is for a Job Davis shuttle which this model doesn't use. Google patents is a wonderful resource. I did some research on this machine previously and it falls between an 1869 Job Davis improvement on the vertical feed patent and an 1872 Jesse Hinds Back Hanger Improvement patent. My guesstimate would be 1869-1872 but a patent can be in use before it's actually patented (pending or filed for).

Jon

jlhmnj

Slide plate from c. 1878 Davis Low Arm Vertical Feed (LAVF)

duckydo

contact Bonnie Hunter, she has lots of old machines, maybe she could be of help

nanna-up-north

Thanks Duckydo.... but I wouldn't know how to contact her.

Update- 10/28-

I bought brasso and never-dull today and DH has been working on the front slide plate. It's looking pretty good.

Jon and Steve, I'm still not able to get the back slide plate off..... have put blaster on and let it set for 2 days now..... tapping with a wood buffer is not working. I'll keep putting more blaster on and trying to get it off. DH said, am I sure it comes off? Is there something keeping it from sliding off?

DH is a little worried about me taking everything apart but I noticed that Steve took every part and cleaned them up than put them back together. I should take everything off, too, shouldn't I? I will take tons of pictures and lay out the parts in groups so I don't lose anything. I'm pretty sure I can do it if I can get screws and bolts out. But, I'm not going to start anything till I hear from you both.

jlhmnj

Hi Jean,

Lots of surface area under that back plate which could be the hold up. Not essential to remove so it can keep soaking while your doing other stuff.

Personal call on how much you remove for cleaning and how much effort you put into cleaning and polishing. I'm a minimalist myself but I love looking at spectacular machines and admire the amount of work that went into them.

Good Luck
Jon

Janis

Jean, I love the looks of your machine! It will be great when you get it cleaned up enough to sew with. The hand wheel has a pretty pattern. I think the tension, or what I think is that on the top of the machine is neat too. Good luck and do keep us posted on how this machine turns out. I'm GREEN with envy!!!
Janis

nanna-up-north

Oh Janis, don't be green with envy. I really wasn't going to buy it. DH and I saw it in an ad for an auction..... we love going to auctions. It was only 15 minutes away so we had to go. And this machine was sitting there.... so unusual. The hand wheel moved and DH kept telling me, that's a pretty unusual SW, isn't it? He has the eye..... finds so many really cool things at auctions. So, I bought it... and thought, this is crazy. I don't buy rusty machines. But here we are.... right in the thick of it..... cleaning, and soaking, etc. DH is feeling pretty good that it's such an early machine.... and he wanted me to get it. At least he's willing to sit in his chair and rub old grime off the parts. And we are both enjoying the process. That's what it's about, isn't it?

SteveH

Spot on! That is the point!

x2 on the your call regarding how far to take it. I have some machines that went from rust to repaint, and some that just got a cleaning. I also have a LOT of metalworking and mechanical experience.

remember what i posted before, you can always come back and clean more, it is hard to undo work done.

I have one machine that I spent 2 weeks trying to take apart, I got it 75% done and found a part I just could not budge. it is timeout now (about 3 months) that was a frustrating way to spend time...

Janis

Jean, it's great when you two can share the enjoyment of the sewing machines. My hubby will look for them, and also the attachments for me. He will also tell me when he thinks they are JUNK (his idea, not mine). But if I'd seen the one your hubby found, I'd have to get it too. Good luck on getting it working. I'll enjoy watching your progress.
Janis